Almond variety named ‘CAPELLA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named ‘CAPELLA’, particularly characterized by self-fertility and very high production. Other desirable characteristics include early to medium harvest time, well-sealed hard shells, and high quality, sweet kernels with high oleic acid content.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus dulcis.

Variety denomination: ‘CAPELLA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of almondvarieties, botanically known as Prunus dulcis, and hereinafter referredto by the name ‘CAPELLA’.

The disclosure provides a new and distinct variety of almond tree,botanically known as Prunus dulcis, synonymous with Prunus amygdalusBatsch., Amygdalus communis L., and Amygdalus dulcis Mill., whichbelongs to the Rosaceae family, and is hereinafter referred to by thevariety denomination ‘CAPELLA’.

The new Prunus dulcis variety is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventors Michelle Wirthensohn and AndrewGranger in Adelaide, Australia. The objective of the breeding programwas to develop new almond varieties with high production, self-fertilityand good kernel characteristics.

The new Prunus dulcis ‘CAPELLA’ originated from a cross in 1997 inAdelaide, Australia. The female or seed parent is Prunus dulcis varietydesignated ‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) and the male or pollen parent is theFrench self-fertile Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Lauranne’(unpatented). The new Prunus dulcis ‘CAPELLA’ was selected by theinventors from the progeny of the stated cross in field trials in 2009in Lindsay Point, Australia. First observations occurred in 2001.

Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis ‘CAPELLA’ by grafting ontoPrunus persica (L.) Batsch rootstock designated ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)was first performed in 2005 in the orchard located in Lindsay Point,Australia. Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis ‘CAPELLA’ hasconfirmed that the characteristics as herein disclosed for the newvariety are stable and retained through successive generations ofasexual propagation. The new variety propagates true-to-type.

Asexual reproduction of the new almond tree has shown that the uniquefeatures of this new almond tree are stable and reproduced true to typein successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘CAPELLA’ variety of almond is of medium size, medium to high vigorwith slightly open growth and demonstrates very high and regularproduction of hardshell nuts with kernels having an excellent flavoursimilar to ‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented). The harvest maturity is slightlylater than ‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) and the nuts release from the hullsreadily. Doubles are not produced under growing conditions in theRiverland area of South Australia. The tree is self-fertile and,therefore, is able to produce almonds without the use of pollinators.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics which make the new variety ‘CAPELLA’clearly distinguishable from its parents and the variety most similar ofcommon knowledge which is ‘Ferragnès’ (unpatented):

-   -   1. self-fertility;    -   2. high productivity; and    -   3. ease of harvest.

The following characteristics listed in Table 1 have been repeatedlyobserved in combination and distinguish ‘CAPELLA’ as a new and distinctalmond variety:

TABLE 1 Most similar Female variety of com- parent Male parent monknowledge New variety ‘Nonpareil’ ‘Lauranne’ ‘Ferragnès’ Trait ‘CAPELLA’(unpatented) (unpatented) (unpatented) Shell type Hard Paper Hard HardTree habit Slightly Slightly Spreading- Upright open open droopingSelf-fertility Present Absent Present Absent Flowering Medium Early-Late-very Medium time medium late Kernel size Large Medium Small LargeTime of Early- Early Early- Very late maturity medium medium

Distinguishing characteristics of ‘CAPELLA’ are set out in Table 1.Plants of the new ‘CAPELLA’ almond tree have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment, such as temperature,day length and light intensity, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The primary difference between the new variety and the female parent‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) is the new variety is self-fertile, whereas‘Nonpareil’ (unpatented) is self-sterile and requires a pollinator treeplanted near to fertilize the flowers and, thus, produce almonds. Incomparison to its male parent ‘Lauranne’ (unpatented), the new varietyblooms earlier by about 5-7 days, has larger fruit, and has a slightlyopen tree habit.

The primary difference between the new variety and the most similarvariety of common knowledge ‘Ferragnès’ (unpatented) is the new varietyis self-fertile, whereas ‘Ferragnès’ (unpatented) is self-sterile andrequires a pollinator tree planted near to fertilize the flowers and,thus, produce almonds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographs (drawings) illustrate the overallappearance of the new Prunus dulcis ‘CAPELLA’ showing the colors, astrue as is reasonably possible with digital reproduction. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘CAPELLA’. The trees were grown on Nemaguard rootstock.

FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of ‘CAPELLA’, dissected (FIG. 1A) and insitu (FIG. 1B).

FIG. 2 shows various images of fruit of ‘CAPELLA’, including a oneyear-old shoot, showing green immature fruit (FIG. 2A), mature fruit insitu (FIG. 2B), and kernel and dry fruit shape (FIG. 2C).

FIG. 3 shows a typical four year-old tree of ‘CAPELLA’ on 15 Sep. 2010.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown outside under natural season conditions andcultural practices which approximate those generally used in commercialalmond production. During the production of the plants, day temperaturesranged from about 14.5° C. to 48.2° C., night ranged from about −5.7° C.to 14° C. and light levels ranged from about 126,905 to 564,729foot-candles. Measurements and numerical values represent averages fortypical flowering plants.

The following is a detailed description of the new ‘CAPELLA’ varietywhen observed during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2015 at LindsayPoint, Victoria, Australia. During 2015, the ‘CAPELLA’ trees were nineyears of age. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘CAPELLA’. The measurementsof any individual tree (or any group of trees) of ‘CAPELLA’ may varyfrom the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.)., sixth edition, (2015). Color values were taken underconditions of natural light.

All of the trees of ‘CAPELLA’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen consistent in the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Prunus dulcis.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed parent.—Prunus dulcis variety designated            ‘Nonpareil’, unpatented.        -   Male, or pollen parent.—French self-fertile Prunus dulcis            variety designated ‘Lauranne’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Budding onto rootstock.        -   Time to initiate roots.—NA.        -   Time to produce young plant.—Eight months.        -   Root description.—‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock.-   Plant description:-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Slightly smaller than Nonpareil. Mature tree height is            approximately 5.5 meters with a spread of approximately 5            meters at about 11 years of age.        -   Vigor.—Medium to high.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Habit.—Slightly open.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—About 15 cm wide and about 52.6 cm high at about 4            years of age.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color of bark.—RHS 200D, dark greyish reddish brown.        -   Lenticels length.—About 2.8 mm.        -   Lenticels width.—About 1.0 mm.        -   Lenticels density.—About 9 per cm² on nine year-old wood.        -   Lenticels shape.—Elliptic.        -   Lenticels color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow.-   Current season shoot:    -   -   Shape in cross section.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS 144B, strong yellow green.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   One year-old shoot:    -   -   Length.—Up to about 1.7 meters.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Internode length.—About 16-39 mm.        -   Thickness.—Thin to medium, about 2.8-4.0 mm.        -   Shape in cross section.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS N199A, moderate olive brown.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium strength on sunny side; Upper            surface: RHS 177A; Lower surface: RHS 144A.        -   Intensity of arithocyanin coloration.—Strong.        -   Feathering.—Slight to medium.        -   Lenticels.—Present.        -   Lenticels density.—About 27-29 per cm².        -   Lenticels shape.—Round.        -   Lenticels length.—About 0.6-0.8 mm.        -   Lenticels width.—About 0.6 mm.        -   Lenticels color.—RHS N167C.-   Buds:    -   -   Shape.—Lateral: acute; Terminal: acute.        -   Length.—Lateral: About 4.9-5.9 mm; Terminal: About 5.8-6.0            mm.        -   Diameter.—Lateral: About 2.6-2.8 mm; Terminal: About 2.6-2.9            mm.        -   Color.—Lateral: RHS 200C; Terminal: RHS 200B.-   Spurs:    -   -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Length.—About 18.9-44.1 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 3.8-4.1 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.        -   Leaves per spur.—About 9.77.-   Mature wood:    -   -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Density.—Dense.-   Leaf blade:    -   -   Length.—About 53-66 mm, average 61 mm.        -   Width.—About 18-23 mm, average 20 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—Low to medium.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Shape of apex.—Acute.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS NN137B, greyish olive green.        -   Incisions of margin.—Crenate.        -   Venation type.—Arcuate to pinnate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—About 15-24 mm, average about 19 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 143B, strong yellow green.        -   Shape in cross section.—Concave.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Distribution.—Intermediate.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Color of tip of petals.—RHS 62D, pale purplish pink.        -   Color of sepals.—RHS 183B, dark red.        -   Hairiness of sepals.—Strong.-   Flower:    -   -   Diameter of flower.—About 38-45 mm, average about 42 mm,            medium to large.        -   Depth of flower.—About 19.66 mm (average).        -   Number of flowers.—Single or clusters.        -   Texture of flowers.—Smooth.        -   Scent of flowers.—Moderate fragrance.        -   Length of petals.—About 20.04 mm (average).        -   Width of petals.—About 14.61 mm (average).        -   Texture of petals.—Upper surface: Velvet; Lower surface:            Velvet.        -   Margin.—Indented, retuse with 2 lobes, some deep.        -   Shape of petals.—Elliptic to broad elliptic.        -   Shape of apex.—Retuse, indented.        -   Shape of base.—Acute.        -   Number of petals.—Five or six.        -   Color of petals.—Upper surface: RHS N155D, yellowish white.            Lower surface: RHS N155B.        -   Number of stamens.—About 28.7 (average).        -   Number of pistils.—Always one.        -   Length of pistils.—About 13.48 mm (average).        -   Color of pistils.—RHS 150C.        -   Position of stigma as compared with anthers.—Below.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—Five.        -   Shape.—Broad elliptic.        -   Length.—About 7.43 mm (average).        -   Width.—About 5.62 mm (average).        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Medium hairiness.        -   Color.—Outer surface: RHS 143C with RHS 187C anthocy. Inner            surface: RHS 143C.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—About 2.72 mm (average).        -   Color.—RHS 144C.-   Stamen:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration of filament.—White to RHS 64B when            mature on lower half.        -   Length of filament.—About 8.01 mm (average).-   Stigma:    -   -   Size.—Medium.-   Pollen:    -   -   Amount.—Moderate.        -   Color.—RHS 153D.-   Green fruit:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Average length.—About 36.11 mm.        -   Average width.—About 28.32 mm.        -   Average thickness.—About 24.34 mm.        -   Color.—RHS N148B, moderate yellow green.        -   Pubescence.—Much to very much.-   Dry fruit:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Shape of apex.—Pointed.        -   Length.—About 30-35 mm.        -   Width.—About 23-28 mm.        -   Thickness.—About 15-18 mm.        -   Average weight.—About 4.6 g.        -   Color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow.        -   Surface.—Smooth with moderate pitting.        -   Thickness of endocarp.—About 2-3 mm.        -   Resistance to cracking.—Hard.        -   Percentage of kernel to dry fruit.—Approximately 27%.        -   Keel development.—Weak.        -   Distribution on tree.—On spurs and one year-old shoots.        -   Base.—Weakly cordate.        -   Color.—Inner surface: RHS 164C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Percentage of double kernels.—None.        -   Eating quality.—Excellent. Oil content average is about 53%;            Oleic acid is about 67%, Vitamin E is about 44.2 mg/100 g            oil.        -   Production.—Regular fruit bearer.-   Kernel:    -   -   Shape.—Broad elliptic.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Average weight.—About 1.4 g.        -   Length.—About 22-26 mm.        -   Width.—About 15-18 mm.        -   Thickness.—About 7-10 mm.        -   Main color.—RHS 165B, brownish orange.        -   Intensity of color.—Light.        -   Rugosity.—Weak.        -   Taste.—Sweet.        -   Apex.—Broad short acuminate.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Yield.—About 4,449 kg/ha at 10 years.-   Blooming/flowering timing:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Mid-August to early            September (late winter — Australia); Full bloom about one to            two days after ‘Nonpareil’.        -   Time of leaf budburst in relation to beginning of            flowering.—After first week of September, generally occurs            towards end of bloom time.        -   Flowering period.—Mid-August to early September (late winder            to early spring — Australia); Up to about four weeks            depending on the weather; Full bloom about mid-August.        -   Time of maturity.—Approximately 30 weeks from beginning of            flowering (about 7 months from August to March — Australia).-   Cultural characteristics:    -   -   Susceptibility to disease.—Very good tolerance to bacterial            spot.-   Storage/shipping:    -   -   Storage ability.—Good, partly because Oleic acid content is            about 62%.        -   Shipping ability.—Good.-   Harvest:    -   -   Peak.—February (late summer — Australia); Approximately 10            days after Nonpariel.-   Pest resistance/susceptibility:    -   -   Resistance.—Hard shell is resistant to many insect attacks.            Very good resistance to hull rot and bacterial spot.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis)named ‘CAPELLA’, as illustrated and described herein.